Mark Chesnutt Album: “Rollin' With the Flow”

Prime Cuts: Things to Do in Wichita, When You Love Her Like Crazy, Rolling with the Flow

Hardcore country fans are rolling with delight in hillbilly heaven with Chesnutt's new CD. With huge spades of rinky-tink honky tonk piano, shafts of twangy guitar riffs, and loads of mournful pedal steel commentary, producer Jimmy Ritchey has again made the traditional genre emblematic of this release. Country waltzes, slow romantic ballads, and sawdust kicking two-steps - genres almost becoming extinct these days are thankfully revived here. After spending more than two years finding these 12 tracks, Chesnutt has indeed a gem of an album with tracks coming from some of his favorite writers such as Roger Springer ("It's A Little Too Late") and other note-worthies such as Dean Dillon, Tony Martin, and Mark Nesler, all of whom have made their mark in the country music business. Most significant in terms of its historic value is "She Never Got Me Over You," a traditional cheating ballad earmarked by acute observations. Apparently this was the last song the late Keith Whitley wrote before his death and Chesnutt's sensitive read has lived up to Whitley's honky-tonk drenched legendary excellence.

Right from the get-go, Chesnutt not only established his country cred but he demonstrates his mastery of strong melodic paeans. Album opener "Things to Do in Wichita," coming from the pens of Ritchey and Bob Regan, an infectious mid-tempo detailing the frivolous things the protagonist tries to do to pass time waiting for his lady to call. Chesnutt's sympathetic vocals are a tour de force. Echoing shades of Waylon Jennings with its pulsating bass line, "Live to Be a 100" is a delightful hedonistic smirk at those health-watching addicts. In line with Chesnutt's tradition to include at least one cover in each album, the lucky contestant here is from the oeuvre of Charley Rich, "Rolling with the Flow." , With measured doses of aguish in Chesnutt's phrasing, "Rolling with the Flow" is a reflective song of regret of a man facing the ugly assaults of aging and emptiness.

Yet not all is doleful, Chesnutt indulges in some tomfoolery with the rambunctious "(Come on In) The Whiskey is Fine," with some belly-laughing lines all over. However, for those who love the romantic side of Chesnutt, "When I Get This Close to You," resurrects those butterflies in the stomach on this slow romantic confession of love. The flurries of fiddles and the smooching undergirding of steel guitars give this romantic excursion a old timey feeling that is just enthralling. Also beautiful is the current single "When You Love Her Like Crazy" strings together a singalong melody and Chesnutt's passionate delivery seamlessly. After such romantic extravagance, Chesnutt's ode to the feminine form "Woman" is made believable with its finger snapping melody.

Despite being on an independent able, Lofton Creek, Chesnutt as not let go the reigns of what makes a great album. In the sea of non descript rockers disguised as country, this CD is truly country. More importantly, the songs chosen here are stellar. Engineered with care and performed with seasoned emotions, it's hard to make a wrong move here. "Rolling with the Flow" is definitely a contender for one of 2008's best country CDs.